Hedysarum boreale Nutt. is a perennial legume native
to western North America, with robust foliage in the late spring
season. Due to its wide native range, forage value, and N2 fixation,
H. boreale is of interest for rangeland revegetation and
production. Seed cost is a major obstacle for utilization of
H. boreale, primarily due to seed shattering and unreliable
seed production, such that a need for improved germplasm exists.
This study characterized the genetic relationships of H. boreale
accessions, so plant breeders and geneticists will have the information
necessary to maintain a broad genetic base within selected germplasm
populations. Amplified fragment length polymorphism markers were
used on 17 available accessions from Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and
Alaska. Seventy percent of the total genetic variation was found
within all 17 accessions, yet each accession showed significant
isolation by distance. Genetic diversity within accessions was
greatest in sites located in eastern Utah. The sole cultivar,
Timp, had slightly greater genetic diversity than a collection
made from the same site approximately 20 yr later. Two groups
of metapopulations were identified in Utah, separated longitudinally
approximately along the Wasatch mountain range.